DK45SE... Hst or Gear?

whitmerlegacyfarm · Mar 25, 2011

Hi all, I know i've been on here a bunch with a lot of questions for the last year and all. I'm pretty set on the kioti tractors from all the good feed back i have heard from you guys. They just seem like the best value w/ all the standard options.
So i guess my decisions lies in to go w/ the hydro or the shutter gear? I've talked to many local kioti dealers around and one tells me that i will be very happy with the hydro for the little bit of ground implements i will be using. Now i plan on trying to do a lot of loader work w/ brush and fully trees that will be shoved and jammed into piles from having some land cleared with a dozer. I like the idea that i keep a few extra hp w/ the gear. But for ease of use and the fact that i can have my fiance hope on or someone else quickly if i wana use the bucket as scallofling(i know not the safest thing but hey you do what ya gota do). Probably would be rare occasions but this tractor will need to me last me a long time. I will have trouble affording if i have any major problems with it.

Uses: Running a 2 bottom plow each spring at most 2acres, disc, hare, bout 15ac. of brush hoggin a few times a summer, clearing brush and moving trees/logs. Manure and pulling a 6ft ground driven manure spreader.

When it comes to the loader work is the shuttle really that big of a deal if you never used a hydro/loader before. I'm new to a lot of this just been running n old ford 800 n john deer 40 that was my grandfathers, kinda learning as i go.

I was quoted for a dk45se hst 20,988. That's by april 1st before th new price increase. Had to other dealers both around 25k. Big difference huh? I want to pull the trigger on one but the fiance says i need to hold off another year but i'm tired of all the back breakin of shovel and the wheel barrel after a hard days of work. Plenty people in the family that have jobs i could do lol.

***WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO***

Thanks guys for all the help over the last year and i can't wait till the day i have my own and i can post pics on here like you all do. I know i will be on the thing all the time. Also i'm self employeed so i try and justify that it could be used for a job or two.

Marveltone · Mar 25, 2011

First, a little personal experience, then a little information gleaned from the pages of TBN. My experience is with a gear driven shuttle shift. I do brush hogging, blading, snow blowing and loader work with it. It works just fine. I really like gear drive for mowing and blading. I can set the speed and forget it. Gear drives, in my opinion, do put more of the available power to the wheels and PTO than HST. If you're running that close to max (as I am) on your implements, that could be a factor. If you're buying new, you can just plan on buyuing a big enough machine to make this a moot point.

Now, the information gleaned from the many pages of knowledge from TBN contributors is that HST drives are smoother and make loader and snow removal work faster and more efficient. This makes perfect sense, as there is no clutch to slip in and out or shift lever to jockey around every time you change direction, and the speeds are infinitely variable. HST will work just fine for ground engagement tasks also.

Will I tell you which you should get? Not on your life! I might be tempted to steer you toward HST just for the ease of operation, but in the end, only you can decide which will work out best for you.

For now, I'll keep my shuttle shift. It's paid for. :thumbsup:

Joe

Coyote machine · Mar 25, 2011

Had a DK-35 and traded it up for the larger capacity loader and four over three cylinders of the DK-40. I think this particular size and HP and loader capacity is worth waiting for if you can't afford it right now. I had/have HST on both tractors and find it works great with the backhoe and 4000lb winch I've used on both Kioti's. If you go with HST make sure you get one with adequate HP to do all tasks you might encounter.
IMHO, the CK and even the DK-35 may not meet your needs. Look carefully at loader capacity for pushing logs around- I do a lot of that, and the DK-40's extra capacity and strength is well worth the extra money. The DK-45 is the same tractor as the 40, except for the additional HP.

k0ua · Mar 25, 2011

Its pretty simple. If what you are going to do requires changing direction or speed all the time, get HST, if it does not, then Gear is fine. I love hydro because it is more precise, I can change speeds instantly, I can change direction instantly, and when you get off 8 hours later I can walk on my arthritic left knee. (my right ankle is fine).
Also you wife, your neighbor, your dog, and maybe even the cat, can operate Hydro, without much in the way of instruction or practice. yep it is that easy. Gear machines require practice to develop the level of skill and precision to operate safely around obstacles and people. Not saying here that gear machines are not good, and yes hydro machines eat some horsepower, and convert it to heat, and they make a whiney noise when operated. Its all true, and you know what? I don't give a darn.. I am not trading in my hydro for nuthin, 'cept maybe a HST+ or EHydro:laughing::laughing: So there you have it from a VERY opinionated old man that has owned 2 gear tractors and 2 Hydro tractors..Its hydro all the way for me.

James K0UA

grsthegreat · Mar 25, 2011

i have a new DK45SE HST.....my advice for what its worth...always get more HP than you think you'll need. My old tractor had 28, and it worked fine for years.

but when i see what the new tractor can lift and haul, its amazing. my old tractor could lift 980#, the new one 2700#

im planning on using a loader mounted snow plow and snow blower with mine.

oh, and i LOVE my cab.

gkh7890 · Mar 25, 2011

How long has the unit been on the lot? Regardless, that is a great price for a DK45SE HST & loader (you indicated loader work but didn't say it was included...guess its implied??). That's only $400 more than I paid for a DK40SE HST & FEL in May 2010.

My wife couldn't understand why I wanted a loader for a tractor until she saw the work I did w/ a friend's Bobcat Skidsteer while we built our house. Once she saw that and understood it, she said....get what you need!!!!:thumbsup: Does your fiance help you in all that work you are doing or will be doing?

I'm sorry but that is too good a deal to pass up....IMHO. Best wishes and post the pics if you bring it home!!!:thumbsup:

whitmerlegacyfarm · Mar 26, 2011

gkh7890 said:
How long has the unit been on the lot? Regardless, that is a great price for a DK45SE HST & loader (you indicated loader work but didn't say it was included...guess its implied??). That's only $400 more than I paid for a DK40SE HST & FEL in May 2010.

My wife couldn't understand why I wanted a loader for a tractor until she saw the work I did w/ a friend's Bobcat Skidsteer while we built our house. Once she saw that and understood it, she said....get what you need!!!!:thumbsup: Does your fiance help you in all that work you are doing or will be doing?

I'm sorry but that is too good a deal to pass up....IMHO. Best wishes and post the pics if you bring it home!!!:thumbsup:

As far as I know he didnt have ne dk 45 hst in stock so he said he could get one in for me' thats with ag tires n filled. the fiance is in law school but helps out as much as she can when it comes to stuff.
I would use loader for manure n prob get a tooth bar to move sum dirt n be using pallet forks to lift sum lugs prob.
She thinks way ecinomy is I need to hold off being im self employeed but I have a good contract that I get 95% of my work from. I have so much I could use it fir now seems a shame to wait n have all the back breakin,labor. I think im leanin towatds the hydro. I got a call into my dealer for price on a shuttle to c the difference. Prob wont be enough to steer me away from the hydro

whitmerlegacyfarm · Mar 26, 2011

Sorry n yes it does come with the loader n QA bucket. Thanks guys lovin all the help

Bigturk · Mar 26, 2011

A close friend of mine is on his third Kioti, all with cab. He uses his tractor mostly for snow removal with FEL and blower. His newest DK50se is his first Hydro, the others were gear. His left knee would kill him after a long day of moving snow with the gear tractors. When I decided to buy my DK40se I was already set on Hydo and I have no regrets. Keep in mind the DK45 is only 4 engine hp more than the DK40, same tractor and loader, but more money.

Greg9504 · Mar 26, 2011

Bigturk said:
When I decided to buy my DK40se I was already set on Hydo and I have no regrets. Keep in mind the DK45 is only 4 engine hp more than the DK40, same tractor and loader, but more money.

Bigturk, have you used your DK40SE to snow blow yet? If yes what size blower and how has it worked? The dealer recommended a 6' blower for a DK40SE HST (Cab) I'm looking at.

Thanks.